David Goodstein, physicist and vice provost of the California Institute of Technology has recently written the book Out of Gas. Its basic thesis? The age of oil is ending: “A scientific immutable law of physics and thermodynamics. Not only oil but all fossil fuel will run out by the end of this century. And by the time we have burned up all that fuel,” he writes, “we may well have rendered the planet unfit for human life. Even if human life goes on, civilization as we know it will not survive.”

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THE NONCOOPERATION WITH OIL CAMPAIGN - UPDATE

Out of Gas

David Goodstein, physicist and vice provost of the California Institute of Technology has recently written the book Out of Gas. Its basic thesis? The age of oil is ending: “A scientific immutable law of physics and thermodynamics. Not only oil but all fossil fuel will run out by the end of this century. And by the time we have burned up all that fuel,” he writes, “we may well have rendered the planet unfit for human life. Even if human life goes on, civilization as we know it will not survive.”

What is needed? “Massive focused commitment to scientific and technological research and that is a commitment we have not made.” Drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge will help Dick Cheney’s friends “but won’t solve the problem.”

In a few short decades, we may find our oil supply way down and demand way up. Goodstein predicts a possible “runaway inflation and worldwide depression leaving many billions of people with no alternative but to burn coal in vast quantities for warmth, cooking and primitive industry.” Hydrogen cells? “No,” says Goodstein. Hydrogen is not a source of energy. It is a fuel that is produced by energy (more oil needed).

“Unfortunately, our present national and international leadership is reluctant even to acknowledge that there is a problem. The crisis will occur and it will be painful.”

Gandhian Noncooperation - It’s the Truth

If our own government will not acknowledge that there is an inevitable ecological and economic crisis then what do the people do? Gandhi instructs us. His tactics were based on the belief that Indians collaborated in their own servitude.

Gandhi observed that in British controlled India in the early 20th century “The English have not taken India. We have given it to them. We hug the chains that bind us.” Pointing directly to the oppressed Indian population, Gandhi states: “We are the creators of this position of ours, and we alone can change it. We are fearless and free so long as we have nonviolence in our hands.”

Where does the finger point? Within. Gandhi again: “Exploitation of the poor can be extinguished not by effecting the destruction of a few millionaires but by removing the ignorance of the poor people and teaching them to noncooperate with their exploiters.”
Conclusion: We are in command of the ship. It belongs to us. We can help sail it in the right direction or hand it over to the State which eventually will sink all of us in the process.

Nonviolent Control of Economic Power

From Power and Struggle by Gene Sharp

“There are two views of the nation of Power. One sees people as dependent upon the good will, decisions and support of their government. The other sees that government is dependent on the people’s good will, decision and support. The single most important quality of any government, without which it would not exist, must be the obedience and submission of its subjects. Obedience, then, is at the heart of political power.

Why do we so predictably give our consent to our government?

1. Habit. Obedience has long been a practice of humanity. The habit of obedience is in fact the essential reason for continued obedience. ‘Once accustomed to obedience,’ David Hume wrote, ‘people never think of departing from the path their ancestors have constantly trod.’

2. Fear of Sanctions. Sanctions generally involve the threat or use of some form of physical violence against a disobedient subject and induce obedience by a power operating on people simply through their fears. Sanctions are a punishment or reprisal for failure to meet obligations. Fear of violent sanctions against individuals and the means for waging violent conflict against groups have often been regarded by the State as important in maintaining political obedience.

3. Moral Obligation. Moral obligation to obey is a product of the normal process by which the individual absorbs the customs, ways and beliefs of his society as one grows up and is partly the result of deliberate indoctrination. Because of the limited effectiveness of fear, the ruler’s secret of success (moral obligation) then becomes the indispensable adjunct.”

Summary: We get the government and the energy systems we desire, deserve or acquiesce to. We give our consent to the policies of the State because: 1) It is a habit, sometimes of privilege, and it is often to our advantage. 2) We fear the suffering that challenging and changing the system might bring and 3) We believe our country is good and on the right side of history and that we need to accept that history, its stories and mythologies and advance them from generation to generation.

What to do? Gandhi again. “Noncooperate with evil with total disregard to consequence,” and “Bid goodbye to fear” by learning creative ways of non- participation, boycott and sacrifice.

Catholic Call to Peacemaking:
Non-cooperation with Church Silence on War

When the October 7, 2001 bombing of Afghanistan commenced, A Catholic Call to Peacemaking, drafted by a diverse group of people, lay and religious, was born. We moved from shock at the silence of the Catholic Church as the country moved inevitably towards the brink of war, then to outrage when our Bishops’ voted 167 to 4 for “the legitimate use of forceundertaken with a deep sense of regret.” ( Living With Faith and Hope After September 11–11/14/01)

A Catholic Call to Peacemaking serves a communal need for courage in proclaiming the nonviolent teachings of Jesus. We presented” The Call” to Cardinal Law of Boston after vigiling on the steps of Boston’s Cathedral and continued its circulation nationally, with over 2,000 signatures sent to our Bishops in two separate mailings. Only three bishops responded, among them two of the dissenters from the shameful vote, Bishop Tom Gumbleton and Bishop John Botean. The Bishops are still silent on the war, unlike their vociferous objections to civil unions and gay marriage.

The Catholic Call to Peacemaking remains a viable vehicle for educating Christians on gospel nonviolence. We encourage you to use The Catholic Call in your community, with or without signatures, which you may continue to be collect and mail to Agape for future use. Copies available from Agape. Text in Servant Song, Fall, 2002, Vol. 12; No. 2. We will keep you posted on our next step.